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Flood survivors 'sleep easily now' in Niger

ShelterBox worked with WAHA International to set up this camp in Kollo District for families made homless by recent flooding, Niger, September 2012.

'We are very happy as the tent is very comfortable and we can sleep easily now,' said Jama Salle to ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Laura Jepson (UK) and John Cordell (US) in Niger.

Jama was forced to move from her home. She was living with her husband and four children in Gallay Keina, a village in Kollo District about 64 kilometres from the capital Niamey. They were one of many families ordered to move by the Prefecture of Kollo District, as he knew that the village was at risk when heavy rains started a few weeks ago. Subsequently, there were no injuries during the flooding and families were able to take many of their belongings with them. Jama and her family along with other families now live in ShelterBox disaster relief tents at a camp just up the hill from their village.

Women and Health Alliance (WAHA) International set up the camp using 82 ShelterBox tents, bringing shelter and dignity to nearly 450 flood survivors.

Jama Salle with her four children outside their ShelterBox tent, Niger, September 2012.

'John and I came to visit the camp and it was amazing seeing such an established camp with such a strong community spirit,' said Laura. 'We gave the families training in how to fix the tents in the future if needs be.'

The First Lady of Niger, Mrs. Aissata Issoufou, visited the camp with her foundation, the Guri Vie Meilleure foundation, as part of its commitments towards improving the living conditions of Niger's people.

'Good fortune'

'We live in extremely difficult times... where our brothers and sisters have lost their homes,' said Mrs. Issoufou. 'All of our hearts are truly with the people. Aware of the difficulties spread across the country, the Guri Vie Meilleure foundation is trying to see what it can do to limit them.

'We have had the good fortune of working with WAHA International and ShelterBox who have helped us find our brothers and sisters who survived the floods.'

Response Team training tent beneficiaries how to fix tents if needs be, Niger, September 2012.

Following the start of the rainy season, above-average rainfall in parts of the Sahel has resulted in flooding, especially in Niger. Beginning in mid-July, floods throughout the country have affected hundreds of thousands of people and resulted in over 50 deaths, according to the United Nations (UN).

ShelterBox has been working with the Government of Niger (GoN) and other humanitarian organisations to find the right solution for those displaced in and around Niamey.